CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Virginia’s season was down to its last strike Monday and had the Cavaliers lost Game 3 of this Super Regional to UC Irvine, coach Brian O’Connor’s ninth-inning strategy would have been long-debated.

That Chris Taylor’s two-out, two-run single gave the Cavaliers a 3-2 walk-off victory, got O’Connor off the hook and allowed him to smile at the inevitable post-game question.

Here was the situation: With the score tied 1-all in the top of the ninth, the Anteaters had runners at first and third with none out after catcher John Hicks’ throwing error on Brian Hernandez’s sacrifice bunt. Convention called for O’Connor to play his infield in.

Instead, O’Connor had third baseman Steve Proscia and first baseman Jared King in at the corners, but shortstop Chris Taylor and second baseman Keith Werman at double-play depth, essentially conceding the run that might have ended the Cavaliers’ season.